I Love Ruffles

I'm participating in Cielo's Ruffle Love in Show Off Your Cottage Monday so visit with all the participants.
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I decided I wanted some ruffles on something. Can you guess what it is? First, I ripped 4" strips from 3 yards of fabric. That gave me a lot to gather with the ruffler. I ended up with over 16 yards of ruffles.

Just before ruffling.

After ruffling. LOTS of ruffles.

I have more than enough for this project and several yards left for crafting or other projects.

Just pinned on here to start sewing. Surely you've guessed by now.

If you guessed they were for the new curtains I made, you're correct. I love the white polka dots on white; plus the ruffle truly does add to the overall effect of the curtains.

Now if I can just wait for the new white slipcover!

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It's All About Me! 10/22/09

When Natasha announced this event I was hesitant at first, not for any particular reason other than I'm so busy at this time in my life that I wasn't sure I wanted to take on another "thing or event" to stress me out. But after a few days I thought "why not" and decided to enter. Truly I am not a chick who has a problem doing things for myself. I try to not be egotistical or narcissistic but I think we all are to some degree even if fractionally. I am truly trying to be like my Lord and be humble, submissive and loving as He is though. But I digress from the story.

So I decided to do something I've been wanting to do for a year: make a beautiful cuff that I've seen on Natasha's blog. I hemed and hawed about this for weeks and finally it got down to the wire to the point that I either do it or drop out. So off to WM and Joanns I go to look at their laces. The lace sat around for days before I even took it out of the small bag. When I finally did, I took measurements of my wrist. Okay, now what to do? I've never made one before but I knew that this one wouldn't be given away or sold so that was the toughest part—doing something from my heart because it was mine to keep and to pass to my daughter or granddaughter as a rememberance of me and my taste and hoping they would wear it someday. And if the new great grandbaby is a girl then I sure hope she is froufrou like her great grandmother—me. (Oh, btw, I've decided what I want that baby to call me: GG, standing for great-grandma since my grandkids call me Nana. I selected what I wanted them to call me before the first one was born). That's my privilege. :-)

So here is what I made just for me and my progeny.

My cuff started with lace and I then added a vintage crocheted rose I have been saving for something special.

Then a lovely rhinestone button for its center. Another pink sparkly button on the other side of the wristlet and then some ribbon roses.

Then since I love polka dots I added this cute little fuchsia button.

Then in the back a pretty dark pink button.

It is so funny because I wore this the day after I made it and did I get the looks from people! Not one asked me about it and it is very prominent on my wrist but lots of stares, I tell ya, chicks.

But I decided to go on and make a couple more for just me. This one is another one that I'll never get rid of because that piece of jewelry is precious to me.

Keeping this one also because the rose was given to me by my friend, Bertie. She's fantastic. I used my new sewing machine to do a smocking stitch and then a feather stitch with pink thread. I then added faux pearls and Bertie's rose.
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But as I was making that one for me I also made a couple for the girls of a friend of ours. They are 11 and 9 years old so I think they'll be into froufrou-y stuff by now, right? I sure hope so.



For a friend who is going through a stressful time who will have received it by the time she reads this. Very french looking, don't you think?

These two I made to be given away to the Young Women class I instructed on making aprons.


And this one is for a very special friend of mine who just spoils me when.....well, whenever I least expect it. But then I never ever expect anything tangible from anyone! It's always, always a surprise when I receive anything. She, also, will have received it by the time she reads this.


And this one to a very special "southern belle" chick who adopted me. ;-) I sure hope she receives it by the time this is published. ;-) Surprise!!!!

I really thought I was done and then I had to do this beauty. Reminds me of a Snow Princess with its cool blues and pearls. The recipient will have this one before she sees this also. I love how the new sewing machine lets me embroider the ribbons so beautifully.


Who knows where this one will go? Wherever my heart leads it!

So in the end is it all about me? Maybe and then again maybe not because I get such pleasure from gifting my friends with these things. I did the ones for me first and then I thought how much pleasure the cuffs would bring my friends. And......I couldn't resist! And there will be more to come for some others. And.....maybe even a giveaway.....
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Darling Aprons for Pink Saturday 9/26/09

Pink Saturday is once again here thanks to Beverly of HowSweetTheSound so go and view the other participants and get your fill of PINK, chicks!
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I've finally finished the aprons I cut out and made into various stages of apron making for the church activity we had a week ago. It has taken me about 2 weeks to get all of them done, but they will be for sale if anyone is interested. Just email me from my sidebar. I make them in colors I love because if they don't sell then I get to keep them and I'll have no aprons—or anything, for that matter—in my home that isn't pleasing to my eye and in a color I love. I plan on making some more and have cut out about 8 to list in a couple of weeks. I think you'll enjoy looking at them. Truthfully, I've sold every apron that I've made so far or I have given them away as gifts or giveaways. One of these aprons will be given away very soon so you might want to stay in touch.

This one is special because every time I see cherries I am reminded of my friend Dolly and Miss Emma. Truthfully!! This is a vintage fabric that I am almost out of and doubt if I have enough for another apron top but we'll see how I can incorporate it onto another "cherry" apron. A piece of vintage crochet is attached to the front with more trim at the middle with candy cane stripe for its ties. A ladybug button is on there also because I thought it was appropriate for the cherry apron. Notice also the pocket and ruffle are roses and the bottom half is pink polka dots. Every single apron I make will have roses on it in some way.

This is a bit french country with its checks and roosters. The top is black and white plaid with red rick rack and the ruffle, neck strap and ties are polka dots also. Roses make up the pocket and buttons and ribbon roses are on here also. I also use decorative stitching on a lot of the pockets.

Blue Waverly fabric on bottom and a sweet roses print is the top. A vintage doily makes up the large pocket. There are a couple of dark spots on the doily should you be interested in buying it so if that bothers you then you are invited to pass it up. For the most part, all vintage things have something "wrong" with them and it just adds to the appeal for me. The ruffle is a Daisy Kingdom print. Neck strap and ties are roses prints.

Simply polka dots in red, pink and white. Roses trim adorn the middle. Pocket is a beautiful paisley roses. Almost Cath Kidston in its print but it isn't hers. Alas, I wish we could get her fabric here in a store instead of sending all the way to Great Britain for it. Sigh...

This one is stunning but I assure you it can be washed should the need arise. I make them beautiful but I also make them for the function they are intended: using in the kitchen to keep my clothes spotless! Let's face it: I'm a slob when it comes to cooking. This one has very high-end fabrics on it and if someone can't bring themselves to wear it to cook in, then it's absolutely gorgeous hanging on a peg in the kitchen. Roses, polka dots, ribbon embroidered fabric, rose trim and ribbon roses scattered all over it and topped off with an organza bow.

Again, I love this paisley fabric—which I scooped up in California several years ago and it is flannel! A very high end flannel and stunning. Bottom is a pink and white stripe with gathered ribbon across the front and a pink ribbon rose. The top I simply sewed on some cord I was going to throw away and added a cute "diamond" button. Darling! Ruffle is polka dots. I just love polka dots!! You can tell, right?!

Why is it that pink roses on black brings images of the french country side to me? Although it isn't especially "french country" it does remind me of France. Polka dots and vintage ecru lace across the middle and pink polka dots make up the ruffle with a pretty paisley pink pocket. Wide white rick rack and ribbon roses across the top.

I love this old fabric and decided to just make one that was one complete fabric on top and bottom. I then added the tiny rosebud pocket and a tone-on-tone white ruffle. It may be "plainer" than the rest but it still really cute. The neck strap and ties are another fabric however.

Yep, more roses but with a lot of green and a red and white check for the bottom. Wide rick rack. A little orange button in the shape of a ladies purse is on the middle just for fun. I love throwing in unexpected things on the aprons and that button just screamed to go on it because it is so totally different in its orange-yness. ;-)

Stripes for this one in a beautiful sort of ticking stripe of roses. Pink and white checks and a ribbon trim. Ruffle is another roses fabric and the neck strap and ties are polka dots.

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I'm calling these "scraprons" as in "scrap aprons" —pronounced "scrape rons" or long A—because mostly these are made from scraps left over and I just couldn't figure out what to do with them until I decided to just put these together. I hope you enjoyed viewing them. There are more to come in the coming weeks.
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Random Thought:

Why is it people will answer a question with an explanation instead of a "yes" or "no"? This happens with Love Bunny all the time. I'll ask him something and he'll think I'm "questioning" him in some way so he defends it when all I wanted was a "yes" or "no"! Hmmmm...very strange to me.

Being Creative with Dress Making

First of all look at these shoes my daughter gave me because they were too big for her. (Shortest woman in my family but biggest feet!) Well, they fit my left foot just fine but the right one is just too big. *Sniff and sob*...... I made these adorable little bows for them and wore them to the optometrist the other day with dark blue slacks and a bright red blazer and did I turn heads!! I am not a fashion plate by ANY stretch of the imagination but I certain was colorful that day especially with a PINK shirt underneath the red blazer. But I think I'm going to have to sell these shoes on ebay!!! I've tried to find them in a smaller size so I could have one fit the right foot properly but no luck. I think I looked like a duck walking in to the optometrist's office in them but I got the royal treatment, I tell ya!! It pays to go "dressed" a bit even here in Idaho! *Smile*.......~*~

Day #1
I love this fabric. It's silky polyester in a true bright red with white polka dots. I needed 5 3/8 yards to make this simple A-line dress. I have that much.........but it's in 2 pieces. I'm going to have to get creative with it. So today I've pulled the cutting table into the living room (I still can't extend it in the craft/sewing room) and trying to figure out how I can cut it. It might be in there all day! Hubs will take me out to dinner tonight for sure as .................well, just because I'm telling him to actually! This is really taking a lot of thinking and creativity. Maybe I'll cut it off a bit higher above the knee, find another silky polyester in coordinating fabric and sew it on the bottom. I've been thinking of taking a ribbon and sewing it down the middle on a piece of fabric while twisting it as I go.

Then I found this at a fabric store and thought of using this as a ruffle around the bottom. But..........

Then things went awry and the "FUN" began! *Sigh*........

I've had this pattern for many years and it's a simple A-line dress. You can sash it if you want. Anyway, having made it several times I thought I'd just breeze through it with the modifications I mentioned above. When I got through cutting it out of those 2 pieces of fabric I had a lot left over and couldn't figure out why.

I put it aside for a day and then picked it up this morning (saturday) and began sewing. I knew I was in trouble when the 2 front pieces didn't match. I had inadvertently cut all four panels out the wrong way. No need to explain here just believe me when I say I messed it up royally! So what to do???? I made half of the dress with the right side out and the other side with the wrong side out. If you think this is easy to understand or even explain to you, I don't even wanna hear it, chicks. Try sewing all the pieces together and realizing you're using BOTH sides and......well, just trust me, it ain't easy!

Now, I hate to throw away fabric and a friend suggested making something for a child to wear and sell it on ebay to recoup my money. Nope, I love that fabric and that is all I could find. I called around to every fabric store in this area and beyond. I tried finding it on line. I went to a popular seller on ebay and websites looking for that fabric. None to be found.

Day #2
I also realized that if I used the "ribbon embroidery" fabric above it might look too weird. As if!! I had already started ripping the leftover fabric into strips because there simply wasn't enough to cut out any more dress panels. So I made a ruffle. So the right side in the pictures below (my left as I have the dress on) is the "wrong" side of the fabric and the other side is the "right" side of the fabric. Photos below are during construction.

The finished dress. I plan on wearing it to church on sunday. I'm sure I'll get stares, but I shall hold my head up high and just tell them it's a "blogging experience" or better yet a "blogging experiment"!! Trust me, I did NOT do this for a blog post but you know me well enough now that there would definitely be a blog post about this fiasco.

With the ruffle, which I like actually, I now look like a FLAMENCO COURT JESTER! I have no shame, I tell ya. Hold me back here!!! *Sigh*

La De Da Pictures!!

You thought I probably meant real pictures, right??? Nuuuuuu, I'm making pictures for me. Unusual yes, but definitely pretty!

I have hundreds of fabrics with roses or stripes or polka dots on them and nothing I want to make since not much is selling on ebay, so I thought of doing this after seeing a similar thing in a collage.

Since I knew that there was no way I could get hubby to cut the wood for me, I went to Michael's and bought 22 of these $1.00 frames, which would cut down on the nagging thus saving a marriage. It was much easier than "nagging" hubby, trust me. I already had some frames so I can use those also because I intend to put them in my kitchen around my soffit. I thought it is a clever idea in several ways: use up some of my fabric, bring roses and such in a cohesive way on the wall, EASY, editable at any given time, brighten up that hard to decorate area, E A S Y!!!!! Plus I love roses in any room I can get them, which does not include hubby's home office. I try to stay out of there for now, but just wait a year or two. Then he doesn't stand a chance against me, truuuust me!!! Hah. Okay, back to covering more frames.............